Having trouble with your System Restore points, or want to move a hard drive
to another computer? Wonder if there is a way to save a file in two places at
once, or why you can't resize a window? Want to heighten your banking safety
with Linux, or understand more about online email security? All that and more
in this Answercast from Ask Leo!

Why can't I resize this window?
Resizing a window may not be possible. It really depends on the state of the window
and the requirements of its designer.
Continue reading: Why can't I resize this
window?
http://ask-leo.com/C6213

Why does my dial-up connection drop every so often?
Dial-up connections can drop because of noise on the line. There are several
sources to look for and only one remedy.
Continue reading: Why
does my dial-up connection drop every so often?
http://ask-leo.com/C6214

Should I reboot into Linux to do my online banking?
Using Linux for banking can certainly increase your online security a notch. Is
it necessary? Well, that's a matter of opinion.
Continue reading: Should
I reboot into Linux to do my online banking?
http://ask-leo.com/C6215

Is online email ever really deleted permanently?
Online email is probably not permanently deleted - although for all practical
purposes, you should assume you do not have access to those backups.
Continue reading: Is
online email ever really deleted permanently?
http://ask-leo.com/C6220

Is CCleaner deleting System Restore points?
CCleaner and System Restore points may or may not be related. Either way, a good
backup will keep you safer than System Restore can ever do.
Continue reading: Is
CCleaner deleting System Restore points?
http://ask-leo.com/C6221

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Shell is actually a very old term, pre-dating even MS-DOS itself. Originally
it referred to the program that accepted typed in commands, interpreted
them and ran corresponding programs to carry out the desired actions. In
Windows the program "cmd.exe" can be considered one shell, operating in much
the same way. The "Windows PowerShell" is essentially an enhanced version, and
a very similar program.

The concept of multiple, different shells is also not new. Early versions of
Unix included a standard shell, "sh", but was soon augmented with a variant
known as "csh", or c-shell, whose command syntax was designed to more closely
resemble the "C" programming language. In today's modern Linux distributions
not only do sh and csh remain, but a third option, "bash" is also present.

With the advent of graphical operating systems the term shell has been
somewhat deprecated, but can still be used to refer to the program that
displays and controls the operating system's primary user interface. In Windows
that program is "explorer.exe", which when initially run displays the desktop,
task bar, start menu and more. (It's only on subsequent runs that the same
explorer.exe acts as a stand-alone file-management program.)

Thank you to everyone who expressed support for my upcoming sabbatical. I'll
be mentioning it here throughout January as a reminder. You can find a copy of
the original announcement here: Leo's 2013 Sabbatical.

Recent articles on Windows 8 have generated quite the range of comments and
other responses.

Personally I find it somewhat ironic that Windows XP met with no small
amount of resistance when it was released. And yet it's that very same
operating system, 12 years later, that so many people are hanging on
to, or holding up as an example of what Microsoft should have left alone.

I'm not saying that Windows 8 is the next Windows XP ... far from it. I'm
also not saying that it's the next Windows Vista or Me either.

What I am saying is that it's too soon to tell. There's a lot of emotional
and knee-jerk reaction happening, and that's not the way to properly evaluate
whether Windows 8 is a winner or a dud.

Unfortunately many people have already (and sometimes very vocally) made up
their minds.

I'm definitely not saying everyone needs to upgrade - if what you have is
working there's simply no need. However if you're faced with Windows 8 for some
reason, perhaps this is one way you can give it a chance.

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